UNBC an Environmental Leader 

The University of Northern British Columbia is poised to strengthen its position as one of Canada’s strongest environmental universities. Sunday is Earth Day, a prime opportunity to highlight the University’s ongoing research and teaching activity related to the environment.

A Sample of Environmental Research

• Working in the Aleza Lake Research Forest east of Prince George, Ecosystem Science and Management professor Art Fredeen has examined the forest’s role as a carbon sink or source and the implications for climate change.
• Professor Kathy Lewis is using tree-ring analysis to precisely date the mortality of pine beetle-infected trees to accurately assess their shelf life.
• Environmental Planning professors Annie Booth and Eric Rapaport are leading a research program on sustainable landscaping options that are being implemented around Prince George in the wake of the pine beetle.
• Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management professor Pam Wright has been the Founding Chair of a BC Protected Areas Research Forum, which has explored issues of wildlife, tourism, and biodiversity management in BC’s vast protected areas.
• From research sites in the Skeena, Horsefly, Torpy, Nechako, and Peace River systems, Biology professor Mark Shrimpton is evaluating how fish respond to human-caused disturbances.
• Geography professor Brian Menounos is the leader of a western Canadian research network examining the effects of climate change on glaciers and their capacity to provide freshwater and power generation.

Among Canadian universities, UNBC has one of the highest percentages of students in environmental programming. Among the degree programs are Environmental Planning, Natural Resources Management, Wildlife and Fisheries, Biology, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Forestry.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622